My View: Lessons learned from Galapagos Islands

Fifteen Harlem High Spanish students just returned from an amazing journey to the equator and the Galapagos Islands. Cultural and language immersion provided profo...

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About this report

Fifteen Harlem High Spanish students just returned from an amazing journey to the equator and the Galapagos Islands. Cultural and language immersion provided profound learning experiences for these students’ internal journey. Led by Harlem Spanish teacher Julie Thomas (Sorrentino) and co-led by Harlem World Language Department Chairman Peter Nogacz, the group contained stellar students. Students included: Savanah Wylde, Monica Gross, Kristina Ruch, Jenna and Keira Leaich, Taylor King, Kaitlin Johnson, Elizabeth Hare, Haley Gounchenour, Taelor Davenport , Meredith McNally, Matison Markhardt, Emily Boyle, Alysa Bennett and Bryanna Morris. Part 1, which appeared last Sunday, was about the equator portion of the trip. Today’s Part 2 is about the visit to the Galapagos Island.

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow. The rhythm and mystery of the ocean fascinates us. Since the dawn of mankind we have had an insatiable curiosity about our origins. It is with this disposition that we set forth to one of the greatest scientific laboratories the planet has ever known — the Galapagos Islands. With a guarded and tormented curiosity about our origins, Charles Darwin first set foot on Galapagos in 1835.

We often gaze out on the ocean with much of our contemplation regarding our origins. Another creature strikes the same gaze. Looking like miniature Godzillas, marine iguanas occupy every rock that the sun will hit endlessly gazing at the ebb and flow of the ocean. Being ectothermic, the sun is constantly recharging their batteries and is essential to life. Their lava rock black leathery skin perfectly blends in with every facet of the landscape, so one must watch their step.

Their motionless, stoic pose makes them appear like they have been contemplating since the beginning of time. Galapagos iguanas seem to say to every passing human, “We were here before you and we will be here after you.” The students were in awe as we imagined what these creatures have seen over time; violent volcanic eruptions, terra firma forming, islands being born and islands waning in a concentrated assembly line of island creation.

The Galapagos are the only archipelago in the world to retain 95 percent of their original vegetation. The Galapagos are 600 miles from the nearest land. Undeterred by altitude sickness in Quito and undaunted by seasickness going forward, we traveled by plane, bus, ferry, boat, water taxi and rickety constructed island vehicle to finally reach these islands — epicenter of great historical controversy since Darwin’s book. Five islands have humans on them now, and we were embraced with open arms and showered with their Garden of Eden-like fruit.

We snorkeled, kayaked and saw sea lions, turtles, sharks, iguanas, manta rays, blue-footed boobies, Darwin finches, Galapagos hawks, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and more. Galapagos is the only place one can see wild penguins and flamingos.

Galapagos tortoises can be 880 pounds and about 200 years old. We were too late to see the last remaining Pinta tortoise, Lonesome George, the rarest creature in the world. George had died two years to the day we arrived. When the great-grandchildren of these students visit the Galapagos, the baby tortoises we viewed will still be alive. For that to become a reality, sustainable tourism will have to prevail. Somehow, we must commune with nature without destroying it.

At the end of these students’ lives, when their basements look like graveyards with tombstones of old, beaten luggage that tell stories of great travels and adventures, they will no doubt remember this South American journey as a life-changing catalyst. Graffiti we saw while enjoying our last Galapagos breakfast said it all, “Juntos, podemos construir un mundo mejor; Together, we can build a better world.”

Page 2 of 2 - Richard Thomas, a nurse from Loves Park, was the medical aide-de-camp on this trip. Email comments to NurseRichardThomas@gmail.com.